The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-16

| :" e'a9eo ny shortage III the
weight or the count, by dividing the
amount end weighing one molc,,
against the other. If they balance
evenly, the count is correct and tho
difference is due to underweight. Il
the latter exceeds the average stated
the coin will need to be specially cx-
aminedi there is probably something
wrong. This question of light gold is
an important one. One large London
joint stock bank paid to the Bank of
England ESQ. 900 (s15o. ooW for de-
ficent weight in its gold for one year.
A practical teller knows heavy or full
weight gold by sight. The best test
afforded by inspection is found in the
strings of the Irish harp on the reverse
OF the coin. If they are trayed the
coin is under weight, but if untouched
By wear and tear 1t is full weight.
The edge of the English bank count
er is provided with lip to prevent the
coin from rolling over and to aid the
teller in scooping up the money. The
teller usually counts with the first two
fingers of both hands, simultaneously;
sometimes he uses six fingers and a
teller has been known to count $50
sovereigns in one minute working
against time. An expert teller will
count one hundred pounds value of
silver in seven minutes. When it is
remembered that the coins are always
mixed and consist of sixponces, shill-
ings, tiorins, half-crowns and crowns
with never decimal convenience
among them, this will reasonably be
considered rs remarkable feat.
There is no selection of coins possible
in such a count We're that observed
the count would take fully thirty
minutes. The four fingers of the teller
seize all the coins as they come, and if
their action is bewilderingly quick
what must be that of the eye and brain
which can so promptly assess and add
up those disjointed values so as to keep
pace with the mechanical action of the
hands? And all the time an outlook
is kept for base coin, of which such an
expert will sometimes throw out fully
half q dozen in counting hundred
pounds.
The annual loss from wear and tear
OF gold coin in England by reason of
the absence of small notes in almost
incredible. In Scotland the issue of
IL notes displaces gold to great OK
tent, and it is almost rs rare there as
here. The Scotch teller excels in
counting paper money. In handling
gold and silver he is altogether behind
the age, keeping those metals before
him in little. old-maidish piles. which
would make London teller shrek
with derision. But in lingering bum
die of notes he is q king of men. Plac-
ing the packets upright against his
left palm. and Selling the top corner
between the finger and thumb of his
right hand, he will turn over the notes
so quickly that an ordinary observer
will be as entirely deceived as by the
three-card trick. and will probably
count only sixteen or seventeen to the
teller's twenty. Then. to check his
count he will either alternate his
hands, or, placing the notes horizon
tally on his counter he will count them
toward himself with the same paralyz-
ing speed.
The Scotch counter is twice as wide
IS the London one; it is elevated in
he center and is minus the rim which
facilities The English teller's dexterity
with the coin. The Scotch teller in
is rallied in. His domain is
! little island by itself. he is fat and
comfortable and old, he takes no sort
If responsibility except as to the
he carries 10 balances in his
lead, and will not look at check I'M
il the ledger clerk, far off in the
'orner, has countetsigned it. When
'ou cross the broard, stately plaza Of
he inner hall and finally accost him
n due form he will hardly let you away
e is so impressed with you and has
o many things to say. or rather so
many polite inquiries to make The
orrect conclusian at which to arrive
Then your knowledge is complete is
hat there is as great a disparity be-
ween the principles of English and
cottish banking as there is between
he mechanical methods in which they
AIRY on their business.
The American teller is self-con-
lined. gentlemanly and very much to
he point. but he handles his notes rs
haberdasher handles ribbon, con-
eying the impression that he is test
lg or illustrating the value of the ma
,rial of which they are made as he doles
lem out. He looks, too, as if he were
fraid of giving you too much, an I'M
esirablc impression.
One great advantage w hich the
uglish teller possesses over both the
.merican and the Scotch teller lies
| the fact that he issues clean notes
My. The Bank of England has the
Sclusive privileges of note issue in
ondon and within radius of sixty
lilies, a right conferred for certain
aluable consideration granted 10 the
overnmcnt in years gone by. All
lie notes received by the London tel
Il are sent into the Bank of England
nd they are not rcissucd. The aver
70 Life of "a hunk natn Is two OIL.